Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Navy Chief of Staff Boo Suk-jong inaugurated
Official duties started with take-over of the navy flag
President Moon announced NCS Boo's appointment
and celebrated the first NCS from Jeju

A farewell and inauguration ceremony for the 33rd and 34th Navy Chiefs of Staff was held at the main military training ground of Gyeryongdae on the 10th of April in the afternoon, to which major military commanders, including the Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo, and sailors were invited.

The ceremony began with an opening speech, followed by a pledge of allegiance, personnel order reading, transfer of a navy flag, medal awarding, military review, instruction of the Defense Minister, farewell speech, inauguration speech, and closing address.

The new chief of staff Boo Suk-jong started his official duties by taking over the naval flag which represents the right to command, from the Defense Minister at the inauguration ceremony.

At his inauguration speech, he said, "The security situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula has never been more dynamic. We are experiencing a severe period of time, preparing for general military threats as well as non-traditional security threats, like COVID-19. I'll do my best to actively carry out the Defense Reform Plan 2.0 and OPCON transition duty, and to make the Navy a reliable key to our strong and competent security."

"The navy has spilled blood to protect our seas and gained the people's love and trust by diving into the deep sea to execute our duties without hesitation. As the Navy Chief of Staff, I will lead in a way that continues our trusted navy traditions. Let's go together with a firm resolution that we will do it, no matter what," said he.

He also suggested a few visions to continue the tradition of a Navy that is trusted by the People, including the establishment of an advanced image for the Navy, naval power buildup based on advanced science and technology, and ensuring a firm readiness against omnidirectional threats, saying that he would try to make a navy that was certain of victory, and an advanced navy trusted by the people.

Navy Chief of Staff Boo, an expert in maritime and combined operations, has successively filled a range of posts in the past, such as Captain of the destroyer Wang Geon, commanding officer of Cheonghae, vice chief of staff of practice training, Naval Operations Command, head of the project to construct Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port, deputy chief of staff for information operations support, Navy Headquarters, commander, second fleet, head of Republic of Korea Naval Academy, and chief director, military support.

When President Moon Jae-in announced his promotion and appointment, he said, "Congratulations on your promotion, and on being the first Navy Chief of Staff from Jeju. I hope you carry out your mission, which is to enhance our naval combat power."

"Make use of your experience resolving conflict through communication and reconciliation that you gained as the head of construction project of Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port, to explain to the people of Jeju about the role of Jeju naval base for our ocean navy supporting Korea's maritime power," added he.

The President also said, "Make sure to establish a thorough military security posture so that the recent unauthorized entry to a military base by a civilian will not be repeated." He also asked that full preventive preparations be made for COVID-19, as the confined spaces the navy must operate in make it significantly vulnerable to the spread of coronavirus.

The President then ordered Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo to reward the devotion of soldiers to the nation and people properly, saying that the military has been playing a huge role at quarantine and prevention sites.